The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-10-14
Knights and the Church.
Master Workman PowderIy Ex-
plains the Attitude OF the Catholic
InUYCn Toward the MniRnTBs #

plains the AtItuu8 OF the
Unuron Toward Ine knights.
The letter prepared by General Master
Workman Powderly upon the attitude of
the Catholic Church towards the knights
of Labor was presented to the grand as
sembly at Minneapolis. The main points
refer to an interview with Cardinal Glib
bons, by Mr.. Powderly, Brothers John w.
Hayes aid Tom 0'Rielly, and their expla-
nation of the principles OF the Knights OF
Labor.
During the interview, which Of lohg dura-
ton, Cardinal Gibbons said in substance.
After what we lave just learned, the
present condition OF the order is to us an
unmistakable Indication that the control
Of your organization still rests With the
conservative element, and is a guarantee
that there will be no rash and dangerous
departuresfrom those features OF its policy
which command the forbearance and re-
spect, ii not The approval OF the entire
country. We do not infer that the objects
OF the Knights OF Labor are praiseworthy
and in no ways opposed to the views Of
the Catholic church. The Catholic pre-
lates will declare in favor Of labor. The
Catholic church in America will take side
OF the weaker against the stronger. We
readily believe that to rescue the toiler
from the grasp OF the selfish is q work for
the noblest and best Of our race, and we
recognize that it is the accomplishment OF
that the grand object that the order Of
Knights of Labor is bending it's every
energy. The church is justly watchful
against all.
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS
There is no need Of secrecy where the
! ends and the methods OF organization are
%iustiiable, and secrecy raises a presump-
ton that there is something which will not
bear the light OF day. The Catholic church
is most visible TO all creation. aud it in.
stinctively guards against secrecy and con.
cealment. We condemn the work OF an
archists. Like Samson OF old, they would
fain pull down the edi6ce Of the constitu-
ton which shelters them, even though they
should perish in the ruins. The man that
would endeavor TO undermine the laws
and institutions OF this great and glorious
country deserves the fate OF those who laid
profane hands on the ark Of the living God.
Socialism takes a defiant position beyond
the pale of the church, and announeessuch
an extreme policy that one does not need
to hesitate q moment to reach q conclu-
sion as to it's merits and influence. 1t
boldly abolishes all religious restraint as
f~atuous, denounces all extant forms Of
worship, and goes back to what it calls
nature" and what the world calls
atheism. We express full faith In the
maintenance OF friendliness between
the church and the order so long as you
keep free from affiliations with dangerous
associations and devote yourselves to the
fuihllment OF your legitimate mission
His enlipence intimated to your commit
tee his intended journey to Rome, prom
ised to explain the purposes OF the organ
ization at the Vatican, and requested per-
mission to pledge the order to the mainte.
nance of a lawful and orderly behavior.
How this prince OF the church fulfilled his
! covenant made with us. and hcw he cham
pioned our cause in the eternal city, we
know full well; and the expression Of pom
tiicial good will for the order OF the
Knights Of Labor, which came ito as last
March, was due solely to the earnest and
intelligent advocacy OF our cause by Cardi.
nal Gibbons. His eminence knew well how
TO express and communicate the impulses
OF his own inspired soul, and our grateful
and profound thanks are due to him for
the extraordinary iayors he has bestowed
upon our order in overaowing measure. In
his report to the propaganda his enhance
ssid: In submitting to the holy see
the conclusions which, aftsrseyeral months
OF observation and deep reflection seem to
me to sum up the question OF the a~ssocia-
tion Of the Knights OF Labor, / am strong
IL convinced Of the vast Importance ofthis
question, which forms but one ring in the
great chain Of the social problems OF our
day and especially OF orr country. The
order is not hostile to religion. We have
not found in the constitution, bylaws and
official declarations the elsments which the
holy see so clearly indicates as condemns
tory, and the ~for9lula Of the organization
contains neither oath or obligation which
pfesitdes these VINO do not belong % Is
from becoming acquainted with their az
fairs. This has been especially explained
to us by the principal officers. No promise
OF blind obedience is required. Not only
their objects and their rules are nothostile
to religion or the church. but the very con
trary. 1t seems TO me plain that the holy
see cannot entertain the proposal TO con-
denim the knights of Labor.
First-Because such a condemnation
does not appear to be justified, either by
tho letter or by the spirit Of it's constitu-
+as5n, Of it's laws, or by the declaration Of
its heads.
Second-That such a condemnationdo does
not appear necessary in view Of the tran.
scent form Of the organizationTand Of the
social condition ot the United States.
Third-That itNshould not be prudent,
on account Of the reality OF the wrongs Of
the workingmen, and the fact that the ex.
istence Of such is admitted by the Ameri-
can public.
~Fourth-That it would. be dangerous to
the reputation OF the church in our demo-
cratic country.
Fifth--That it would be powerless to
pei the obedience OF our Catholic workmen
who would regard it az false and iniquit-
Gus.
Sixth-That It would Be destructive in
stead Of beneficial in its effects. forcing the
sons Of the church to rebel against their
mother and TO range themselves with
condemned socialists which they have
hitherto avoided.
Seyenth-That it would turn into doubt
and hostility tAe marked devotion OF our
people toward .he Holy See.
Eighth-Tbat it would be regarded as q
cruel Eow to the authority OF the bishops
ci the United States, who, It is well known.
protest against such condemnation.
Thus il will be seen that his eninence
made a forcfble public plea for the work
ing classes. The bearing OF the Vatican,
toward the order has been friendly and
coneiIiatory. The knights OF Labor re-
main untouched, and II win &c our par
ticular duty to prevent the order from